If you’ve just set foot into Elden Ring’s sprawling Lands Between, one of the first things you’ll notice is how critical runes are to your progression. Whether you’re leveling up, upgrading weapons, or buying essential gear, runes are the currency that keeps your journey moving forward. But for newcomers and seasoned Tarnished alike, farming runes efficiently can be a real game-changer—especially when aiming for late-game content or experimenting with different builds.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get runes fast, from early-game farming routes to high-risk, high-reward strategies that will suit even veteran players.
1. Start Strong: Gatefront and Limgrave Farming Loops
For complete beginners, the best spot to start farming is right near the Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave. This area is relatively low-risk and filled with groups of soldiers that respawn each time you rest at a Site of Grace. Simply clear out the camp, rest, and repeat. With a bit of patience and practice, you can easily rack up a few thousand runes within an hour, which is perfect for getting your first few levels or grabbing some cheap Elden Ring items from merchants.
If you’ve got a ranged spell or Spirit Ashes early on, you can clear these enemies even more safely, making it ideal for magic users or cautious melee builds.
2. Stormhill and the Warmaster’s Shack Loop
Once you’ve gained a few levels and upgraded your weapon, the area around the Warmaster’s Shack offers slightly tougher enemies but much better rune yields. The wolves and knights here drop significantly more runes, and you can use the terrain to your advantage to take them down in smaller groups. It’s also a solid place to practice dodging and parrying if you’re looking to improve your skills while farming.
3. Mid-Game Goldmine: Caelid’s War-Dead Catacombs
If you’re ready to challenge yourself, head into Caelid. The enemies here are brutal, but they’re also rune-rich. The War-Dead Catacombs is one of the most infamous farming spots in the game. Inside, you’ll find spectral enemies that fight each other, letting you farm runes passively by hanging back and picking off survivors. Equip a Gold Scarab talisman and some rune-boosting consumables to maximize profits.
Note: Caelid is not for the faint of heart. You’ll want at least a mid-level build and upgraded weapons before taking this route. But once you’re geared up, this method can make your rune count skyrocket.
4. Mohgwyn Palace: The Pro’s Rune Farm
If you’ve made it to Mohgwyn Palace, congratulations—you’ve unlocked one of the best late-game rune farms. The palace is home to Albinaurics that are grouped tightly together, making them easy targets for AoE spells or sweeping melee attacks. You can gain tens of thousands of runes in just minutes here, especially if you’ve picked up the Golden Scarab and are using Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot for a boost.
There’s also the infamous sleeping bird trick across the ravine, where players can snipe a massive bird that falls to its death, dropping a big rune reward. It’s easy, repeatable, and surprisingly effective.
5. Efficiency Tips for All Levels
- Boost Your Gains: Use rune-boosting gear like the Gold Scarab or consumables like the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot to maximize every farming run.
- Know When to Spend: Hoarding runes might seem smart, but dying repeatedly with a huge stash can be devastating. Spend wisely and often, especially if you’re planning to buy cheap Elden Ring runes or other cheap Elden Ring items from in-game merchants.
- Experiment with Builds: Sometimes the best way to farm faster is to adjust your playstyle. Try different weapon types, AoE spells, or summons that make crowd control easier.
Farming runes in Elden Ring isn’t just about grinding—it’s about finding the right method that fits your build, your level, and your current goals. Whether you’re a cautious explorer or a bold invader, these farming spots and strategies can help you get stronger without feeling like you’re stuck in a grind loop. And with the right preparation, even late-game farming becomes fast, efficient, and—dare we say—fun.
So go forth, Tarnished. The Lands Between are full of runes—if you know where to look.
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